Introduction to Research Methods
Instructors: Stefano Moroni, Gabriele Pasqui

Content of the course:
The course is a methodological introduction to research methods for a PhD Program. The main themes are: the analysis of Italian and international literature and the building of a survey; theoretical and empirical approaches to quantitative and qualitative research methods (analytical, phenomenological, pragmatist); empirical research tools (case study analysis; field analysis, anthropological observation, ..); milestones for the design of a PhD dissertation.

Teaching method: lectures and discussion with students of  texts
Hours of lectures: 30
Credits: 5
Method for grading: oral examination

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European Spatial Planning
Instructor: Luisa Pedrazzini
Institution: Lombardy Region

Content of the course:
The course is focused on a comprehensive and detailed presentation of European spatial policies and planning, EU development and cohesion policies (especially Objective 3 – Territorial Cooperation), operational programmes for the programming period 2007-2013, and effects of EU spatial policies upon national territorial policies and programmes (CAP, TEN, ERDF and so on).
The course is organised in two parts: the first is a general presentation of EU policies; the second is focused on specific examples of European spatial policies, programs and projects and their application at national, regional or local levels.
At the end of the course students should know principles and tools (plans, programs, strategic documents) of EU spatial policies, with particular attention on their regional and local territorial impact.

Teaching method: lectures, exercises and tutoring
Hours of lectures: 25
Credits: 5
Method for grading: oral examination and paper evaluation

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Field research methods for urban studies
Instructor: Alessandro Balducci

Content of the course:
The course covers the following themes with the participation of visiting experts: research strategies: how to analyse the processes of spatial change; the research project: single or multiple case studies, the research protocol, data collection; the sources that can be used: documents, retrieval data, interviews, direct observation; the techniques: semi-structured interview, direct observation, the analysis of documents; the interpretation of results: strategies and ways of analysis; the problem of comparison; the proper character of field research strategies; the observation techniques; the survey techniques; data analysis; bibliographic sources; the research report: composition, users, structure.

Teaching methods: lectures, exercises and tutoring
Hours of lectures: 50
Credits: 5
Method for grading: oral examination

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Planning Practices in a Global Perspective
Instructor: Alessandro Balducci

Content of the course:
The course addresses the theme of emergent planning practices in the context of globalisation. A first part has a theoretical orientation and illustrates the main interpretations of planning practices: models, paradigms, actors of the planning processes and meaning of an attention to practices. A second part will deepen some emergent planning practices with aparticular attention to strategic planning as a form of planning strongly based upon interaction. The third part will illustrate cases of planning in different contexts: Europe, emerging countries, countries of the global South. The aim will be to verify if we can recognize common elements of an approach to planning which can be effective in different circumstances.

Teaching method: Lectures and Seminars
Hours of lectures: 20 + 20 Seminar
Credits: 5
Method for grading: Written paper

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Planning and Citizenship
Instructor: Luigi Mazza

Content of the course:
The programme develops two arguments. The first one suggests that a dynamic and active idea of citizenship may be an analytic and normative standard for planning, The second suggests that to be consistent and effectiveness a planning system must refer to a republican idea of citizenship. Two basic ideas of citizenship are considered, in particular one assume citizenship as a redistribution of resources, and space is prime within them; there is the link between citizenship and planning. Classic and contemporary planning case studies are used to develop the argument.

Teaching method: Lectures and seminars
Hours of lectures: 15 + 24 exercises
Credits: 5
Method for grading: evaluation of a paper

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Paradigms and innovation in planning theory  
Instructor: Pier Carlo Palermo

Content of the course:
The programme is focused upon different traditions and paradigms in planning theory. The approach is critical and interpretative, and a direct lecture of classic and contemporary texts will be proposed to students. The aim is to stimulate a critical approach to different fields, problems and key-words in planning theory (decision, design, participation and interaction, justice and ethics, democracy), with particular attention to spatial planning theories and experiences.

Teaching method: Lectures and seminars
Hours of lectures: 25 + 10 exercises
Credits: 5
Method for grading: evaluation of a paper

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Global cities: problems and policies   
Instructor: Costanzo Ranci

Content of the course:
This course is focused on the social, economic and territorial transformations that have been taking place in global cities in the last two decades as a consequence of globalisation and tertiarisation of  economy. The most relevant theories explaining these processes will be critically analyzed, paying attention to the relationship between social cohesion and economic development. The second part of the course will be focused on urban policies (social policies, housing policies, integrated local programs, and so on) addressing these problems, by analysing and comparing the situation of various European cities.

Teaching method: Lectures and exercises
Hours of lectures: 25 + 10 exercises
Credits: 5
Method for grading: Students will be asked to carry out a short analysis of a global city by following the theoretical and methodological framework developed in the course

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Transport policies
Instructor: Marco Ponti

Content of the course:
The course will be focused on contemporary passengers transport and mobility issues, within an economic approach.
A first part will be dedicated to a review of  microeconomic tools: economic welfare, market failures, externalities, equity issues, state failures and the “Public Choice” approach, basic regulation theory.
A second part will deal with  urban mobility, in different territorial contexts. Public transport policies, fares, congestion phenomena and “road pricing” strategies, land rent and distributive effects will be the main themes dealt with.
A third part will deal with infrastructural investments, summarizing the main evaluation tools, and the role of public and private actors (concessions, Project Financing, regulatory tools).

Teaching method: Lectures and exercises
Hours of lectures: 15 + 25 exercises
Credits: 5
Method for grading: oral examination

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Internationalisation of the Economy, Industrial Location and Logistics
Instructor: Flavio Boscacci

Content of the course:
The course will be organised into the following five sections: 1) Internationalisation of the Economy and Location Theory; 2) Infrastructures and Regional development; 3) Globalisation and Logistics Supply Chains; 4) Logistics: from Transport Costs to Spatial Transaction Costs; 5) Policies for Industrial Location, Infrastructures and Logistics.

Teaching method: Lectures and exercises
Hours of lectures: 15 + 25 exercises
Credits: 5
Method for grading: oral examination

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Property Development and Spatial Planning
Instructor: Luca Gaeta

Content of the course:
The course outlines the typical phases, opportunities and threats of property development in different market sectors and in different geographical contexts. The following topics are covered: market analysis and location strategies; investment evaluation techniques; property finance; asset and property management. Particular attention is paid to the patterns of interaction between private developers and public officials in European planning practices.

Teaching method: Lectures and exercises
Hours of lectures: 25 + 10 exercises
Credits: 5
Method for grading: oral examination, preparation of reports on selected property developments

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Urban design Workshop  
Instructor: Corinna Morandi

Content of the course:
The workshop is lead by a cluster  of  instructors and teachers. The theme will change every year, and the approach will be inter-disciplinary. In an introductory phase some lectures will be given, in order to define the theme and the theoretical approaches and to discuss international case studies. The workshop will be organised though group activities, and students will realise a large scale urban. Physical, organisational and management aspects will be explored by students, with particular attention to visioning and strategic dimensions of the design experience.

Teaching method: Lectures and workshop activities
Hours of lectures: 40 + 150 workshop activities
Credits: 20
Method for grading: Evalution of a project draft

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